What types of ferns are suitable for garden planting?
Ferns that are summer green to winter green are particularly suitable for the design of a garden. The evergreen specimens in our latitudes require significantly more care and need high ambient temperatures all year round.
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The following types of fern are important for gardens:
- Common worm fern (extremely adaptable)
- Marsh fern (for pond areas)
- Clover fern (for pond areas)
- Rib fern (ideal for acidic soils)
- Font fern (for greening masonry)
- Ostrich fern (impressive as a solitary)
- Royal fern (up to 150 cm high)
- Wall rue (perfect ground cover)
The answer to the question of location: bright, but not sunny
The majority of ferns do not get along well in a location where the sunlight is direct and ruthless. Therefore, it is better to choose a shady or partially shaded location. Places under coniferous trees such as pines, spruces and larches are optically suitable and optimal in terms of lighting.
Prepare the soil before planting
It is particularly important to properly loosen the planting hole before putting the fern in the ground. Ideally, carry out the planting action in spring and not in autumn. After you have loosened the soil, enrich it with humus or compost.
Ferns with a creeping rhizome are planted flat in the ground. However, ferns that grow clumpy are set deeper. After covering it with nutrient-rich and slightly acidic soil, the fern is generously watered.
Maintenance procedures: watering, cutting and protecting in winter
The following procedures are recommended:
- Mulch the root area with leaves
- Pour during hot and dry times
- fertilize with liquid manure or compost once or twice a year
- Cut deciduous fern species by half in autumn (other half acts as winter protection)
- Cut evergreen ferns in spring before budding
- Protect with brushwood and leaves in winter
Tips & Tricks
Ferns look wonderful in the garden alongside early bloomers such as crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops and winter flowers. The fern fronds also make an excellent green background next to the small perennials that bloom in summer.
